KUWAIT: Governor of the Capital, Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, announced on Sunday the official reopening of the Darwaza Al-Abdulrazzaq intersection in Kuwait City. Although the intersection had reopened to traffic late last year following years of construction, there had been no official confirmation of the project’s completion until now.

The intersection and pedestrian tunnel were initially closed in 2020 by the Kuwait Municipality and the General Directorate of Traffic due to cracks that posed a collapse risk. Repairs began in September 2022 but were halted two months later due to technical issues. A November 2022 report by the Government Performance Follow-up Authority raised concerns about the structural integrity of the project.

The Darwaza Al-Abdulrazzaq project resumed in March 2024, nearly five years after work was suspended. The repairs focused on both the street and the tunnel beneath it to ensure the intersection’s safety and improve traffic flow. Initially, officials had estimated that maintenance would take seven months, with the pedestrian tunnel expected to reopen three months after surface work was completed. However, the government finished the surface repairs nearly a month later than originally planned, and it remains uncertain whether the tunnel will reopen as scheduled.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Governor of the Capital affirmed that Kuwait would continue to support and monitor development and service projects for its citizens. He added that several other projects are expected to be completed in the near future.

Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali emphasized that the full reopening of the intersection had been completed with efforts made to ensure it met the highest quality and safety standards. He highlighted the project’s contribution to improving traffic flow in the area, which would have a positive impact on both citizens and residents.

“Despite the obstacles encountered during the project’s progress, we succeeded in completing the maintenance and rehabilitation of the intersection through the combined efforts of all relevant government agencies,” said Sheikh Abdullah.

The Governor also praised the efforts of those involved in the project, particularly the Minister of Public Works, Dr Noura Al-Mashaan, Sheikh Ahmad Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (Head of the Government Performance Follow-up Authority), the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation, the General Traffic Department, and all other concerned parties. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait in financing and executing the project, noting that it positively reflects on the country. The opening ceremony was attended by the Director-General of the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation, Engineer Khaled Al-Osaimi, Engineer Anwar Al-Beloushi, and several security and traffic officials. — Agencies